put disclaimer here - just go back to chapters one or two - copy and insert

I'm so glad you all like this! I never thought there were people out there (like me) who would find this amusing. AHHH that's a scary thought. Heh heh heh -THANKS!

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Roger had landed right on top of Cliff. He quickly shot up and surveyed his surroundings.

"Hey! Get off!" Cliff grunted. His back sore from two impacts.

Roger looked down at him then quickly back to the door he had just been thrown through. Moving fast, he jumped off Cliff and scurried to hide under the bed.

Cliff sat up. He still didn't know what was going on, but one thing was sure, he needed more sleep. He stood up and wiped the dust from his cloths.

Climbing over the rubble, he made his way to the hall and stopped. He dared to glance into the now door less room. In the middle of the floor, the girl sat cross legged, her back to him. She was quiet.

Call it a hunch, but he didn't feel good about her being so quiet. He had the feeling that she was up to something. A chill went down his spine.

He stepped to the door. "Um…miss? You okay?"

A bad feeling emerged from his gut. He realized he had made a mistake.

She stood up and turned. Her big eyes filled with tears. Cliff could never stand to see a girl cry.

She just stood there, fumbling with something in her hands. He took a step into the room.

"Oh, it's awful," she cried, flinging herself at him. She grabbed him around the waist and buried her head in his chest.

Cliff patted her shoulders. He never was good at giving comfort to emotional girls. "Tell me what's so awful. Maybe I can help."

Like a switch, her attitude changed. She went from crying to a gleeful squeal. She backed away and grabbed his hand. She pulled him lightly to the overturned mattress on the floor. She motioned for him to sit.

He sat, not understanding what had just happened. She sat beside him and hung on his arm.

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Nel wondered how much time had gone by. The window over the bed indicated that it hadn't been too long. It was still dark outside. Every second seemed to take minutes to pass. She was starting to loose feeling in her arms.

She had to get Albel to let go of her…somehow. She wiggled (as much as possible) but his grip never loosened.

"Albel!" She said his name harshly. He only grunted. She had to think of something.

"The Aquarians are coming."

At that Albel released her and shot straight out of the bed. He looked around as his hand searched for his missing katana.

After all she had been through; Nel could do nothing but laugh.

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Roger fidgeted under the bed. He had been traumatized and was having trouble plotting his next move. He felt unsafe under the bed and needed to get somewhere…safer…if there was such a place.

He crawled cautiously from his hiding spot and made his way to the broken wall. Peering around the edge, he quickly scanned the hallway. Clear. Now, which way was the front door? He couldn't remember.

Picking a rout at random, he jumped out of the room and darted to the right. He went the whole length of the hall just to find a dead end. Wrong way. He screamed in his head. He had to find a way out quick.

He started back the way he had come when a noise stopped him. He wasn't sure what he heard, but he wasn't taking any chances. He ducked into the nearest room. He closed the door and held his breath.

"Hey, what the…Roger?" The voice behind him nearly made him loose control over his bladder.

He turned sharply to see Fayt sitting up in the bed. So, he had run into Fayt's room. Maybe there was hope after all.

He ran up to the blue haired boy. Jumping into the bed, he hid behind him. He curled into as little a ball as he could make with his body.

"Help me, Fayt. She'll get me," he whimpered.

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"What are you laughing at, fool." Albel curled his lips to a frown. "When I find my blade I'll be the one laughing." He was turning in circles searching for his katana.

Nel stood up. "Well, if that's all the thanks I get then I'll be on my way."

She started to walk to the door, but was stopped when he grabbed her arm. "You're not leaving until I get some answers." He looked into her eyes. He seemed even grumpier then normal. "What are you doing here and where is my sword?"

She looked at him. What was he talking about? Did he not remember anything?

"What am I doing here? This is Aquaria. I should ask you what you are doing here. And as for your precious sword, your little toy, you gave it to me. Remember?"

He pulled her back a step and let go. He moved between her and the door. "I did what?"

She crossed her arms. "Yeah, you gave it to me. It was right before that Amanda girl showed up."

His eyes glossed over and his expression went limp. "A…Amanda." His eye started to twitch again.

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Cliff's stomach started to burn. He really didn't know what to do at this point.

Amanda was hugging his arm as she rested her head on him. "I just don't know what to do. First Cuddles runs away and then…then I found out I was being cheated on."

The sound of her high pitch, half sobbing voice made Cliff's hair stand on end. He kept his mouth shut. His mouth had gotten him into this mess and he didn't need things to get any worst.

"Look at this." She hung the thong in his face. Under different circumstances, this would have been a very good thing. He knew, almost without a doubt, who the garment belong to. You don't spend a lot of time with someone and never 'accidentally' walk in on them dressing. He smiled to himself. It was good to see that Nel's taste in wardrobe hadn't changed over the past year.

She swung it around, indicating for him to take it and examine it more. He took the thong from her and put his hand in his lap. As much as he secretly loved holding the item, he wasn't going to flaunt it in front of a little girl.

"Why do you men have to be such…such mean jerks!" She released his arm and started to slap it. After she slapped it a bit, she started hitting him with her fist.

"Hey, that hurts." He stood up. She kept hitting him, only now she was positioned to hit him in his back (which was still sore from earlier).

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Fayt got out of the bed and looked down at the tightly curled Menodix. Rather then give the boy a piece of his mind, he decided to get Cliff. Something was wrong here and his mind was still fuzzy from waking up.

He headed to the door. Roger whimpered more and pulled the blanket over him. Fayt sighed as he opened the door and looked down the hall.

He wasn't prepared to the sight he was confronted with. A short ways down the floor was covered in rubble. On one side a wall had been demolished and on the other a door had been ruined. What had he slept through?

He took a step but stopped dead in his tracks when he heard Cliff.

"HEY! STOP!" Suddenly the blonde appeared out of the broken door. His attention was on something inside the room. He back out of the room and then took off in a run for the front door.

The girl from earlier followed. "Get back here. OH PHEWY! I'M NOT DONE WITH YA!" She swung a fist in the air.

As if sensing him, the girl turned. Her reddish brown eyes locked in on Fayt. He felt like he had just been targeted by a sniper's gun.

"YOU WANT SOME?" She seized her whip and snapped a warning shot at him. "MEN!"

Fayt immediately withdrew back into his room. That girl made a walk through Ursa Lava Caves look like a picnic.

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Nel waved a hand in front of Albel's face. He was back in a comatose state. She grabbed both his shoulders and shook him lightly. "Albel? What is going on?"

"Good morning," he replied sluggishly. He reached around her and pulled her close. He rested his chin on her shoulder. "I like cherries. Cherries are good, but not when they bite."

Oh great! Nel thought. Here we go again.

She pushed him back, but not far. He wouldn't let go of her. At least now she could see his face.

"Could you try to talk with a little logic?"

He gave her a what-are-you-talking-about expression. "You are unhappy with the thorns? I'll make it up to you. All song birds should be happy."

Her frustration level was on the rise. She wondered if there was anything else he could do to her to infuriate her further. He wouldn't talk straight and after being held down on a bed…A BED…she didn't think he could do anything to anger her more.

He proved her wrong when he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.

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Cliff bolted out the door and into the street. He couldn't believe he was being chased by a girl! If Mirage saw him now, then he would never be able to outlive the embarrassment.

He hesitated, wondering which direction would be the best. He looked right, but that way would lead him into Duggus Forest. Ok, left it was. Just as he started running, he heard her behind him.

"COME BACK HERE YOU BIG IGIT!"

Man, why is she chasing me? It's Roger she's mad at. Cliff couldn't help but to laugh at the thought of Roger finally getting what he deserved. But then again, no one deserved this.

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Time froze. Nel could feel his breath on her cheek. Her mind went blank.

Albel drew back, leaving Nel in a state of utter shock. She couldn't believe what had just happened. He had kissed her!

His hands went limp and fell to his sides. He was still smiling at her with his eyes half closed.
She couldn't find any words. She didn't even know if she liked it or not. No, defiantly not! But she hadn't stopped him, or pushed him away. Still, that didn't mean she liked it. She was just taken by surprise…maybe.

"Green oceans of bliss, the tender whisper of a breath."

Nel took at step back. That sounded more like poetry instead of useless babble. She stepped around him and to the door.

"Leave the fairy king to me. Off to slash the worm! Leave them in custard."

OK. That was all the nonsense she could stand. She opened the door and left the room. She didn't turn back to look as she left the inn.

She walked slowly down the street, wondering if it was a good idea to leave him alone. Her thoughts were brought to a halt when she heard a sound behind her. She didn't immediately turn. Her spy instincts were keen. She listened as she walked, leading anyone who may be watching to believe her oblivious to the sound.

After a few steps a chill overcame her. She knew who was behind her. She didn't know what was going on, but she had a strange feeling there was more than she understood. She turned. Her guess was correct. Albel was staggering down the street as if sleepwalking. He was following her.

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Cliff ran. If it had been a monster then he could just kill it and be done. It would have been easier if she had been a monster. He was beginning to wonder if she wasn't just that.

He rounded the corner to the center square. He chanced a glance behind him but couldn't see her anywhere. He didn't feel too safe. If he couldn't see her then there was no telling what she was up to.

He took a few ragged steps and searched. He knew she was here somewhere. But where?

Then he saw Nel on the other side of the square. His heart skipped. He needed an ally.

He ran to the red head. She didn't notice him. Her attention seemed to be divided between her path and something behind her.

"NEL!"

He got her attention. She stopped. "Cliff?"

Cliff stopped in front of her and reached out to grab her shoulder. He had forgotten that the thong was still in his hand…the hand he reached out to her.

Her eyes immediately found the black cloth. This was the final twig on the fire. She snatched the thong from his hand and readied herself to slap him.

Before she could bring her hand around, something hit Cliff in the back. He was pushed forward enough to knock into her slightly. She kept her balance.

"GOT YA!"

Amanda was clinging to Cliff's back like a kid taking a piggy back ride.

"Get…off…of…me." Cliff turned circles. The girl wouldn't let go.

Nel stood frozen. This was truly the night of the insane. She was so taking in by the scene of Cliff and the girl that she only noticed Albel when he plucked the thong from her hand.

"Do not distress my princess. Offer the moon to the spoon!" He kept walking pass her.

Cliff and Amanda stopped in unison.

"Alby?"

The three of them watched in silence as Albel made his way to one of the small tables, pulled out the chair and sat down. He rested his head on the table, using the thong for a pillow.

Amanda jumped down from Cliff and skipped to Albel. She tilted her head to look at his face. When Nel and Cliff approached, she put her finger over her mouth.

"Alby must have really had fun today," she whispered. She started to giggled.

Cliff looked at the sleeping swordsman and then at Nel. "What now?"

Nel sighed. "Can't really leave him like this." She pulled out the chair beside him and sat.

Cliff threw up his hands and sat at the table across from Albel. Following suit, Amanda sat in the remaining seat. The three of them exchanged glances.

Their attention turned to Albel when he grunted. He shifted in his seat. Almost instinctively, he moved his head off the table and into Nel's lap.

By this time, nothing he did surprised her much. She was slightly embarrassed to have him pull a stunt in public. Nel leaned over him, rested her elbows on the table and put her head in her hands.

"Um…did I miss something?" Cliff asked, chuckling.

"Don't ask and you won't die." Nel looked at him through her fingers. There was no way anyone could torture her enough to have her confess what she had been through during the night.

"Hey," Amanda piped up. "Are you Alby's girlfriend?"

Nel's hands dropped. "Wha…girlfriend…no, no I'm not." She sat back in her seat and crossed her arms over her chest.

Amanda blew her bangs from her face. "Oh, that's too bad. You see, I found this book in Alby's room and there was stuff written in it. Lots of ooey gooey mushy stuff about a girl that lives in Aqua…"

Albel shot up in his seat, hitting his head on the table. "SHUT UP!"

He rubbed his head with his hand. Behind his closed lids he saw stars.

"OH, ALBY." The girl got up from her seat. She jumped at him and hugged him around his neck. "Ohhhh, did you get an ouchie? Poor thing. Let me see."

He pushed her off and growled. "Just…stay back, insolent brat."

It took all of his restraint for Cliff to keep from hysterical laughter. He lost that restraint when Nel looked at him. She joined him and they laughed till tears swelled in their eyes.

"Humph. I don't know what you maggots find so amusing." Albel leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms.

Amanda took her stance right beside him. He growled as he kept his attention focused on his lap. He didn't feel the need-or want-to look at anyone.

Amanda twisted around until her head was hanging upside down, hovering over Albel's lap. She looked at his face and smiled.

"What do you want?" he asked through clenched teeth.

"Oh, that." Her smile dimmed. "Well…I kinda got some bad news."

He raised his eyebrow and looked at her. Somehow, bad news for her always meant good news for him. "And that is?"

"Well…I kinda got in trouble at school. Seems there's a rule about having bonfire parties in the gym. I have to attend summer school. I just wanted to stop by and tell ya in person."

He nearly fell back in his chair. He managed to keep his demeanor. So, she was leaving. Maybe he could go home and try to forget this whole thing happened.

She stood up straight and hugged his neck again. "Oh, but don't worry. During the summer I'll be taking all my fall classes. They say if I'm good I can come home…for the ENTIRE FALL SEASON!" She started giggling continuously.

She jumped around in circles. When she stopped she focused in on Cliff. "Um…the only thing I hate is I can't say goodbye to Rogerkins." She gave Cliff that pouty look again. "Can you tell him that I forgive him and that I'll be back soon? Tell him to wait for me."

Cliff chuckled. "No problem kid. I got you covered."

She squealed as she skipped away. "Bye! See you soon. Can't wait, Alby." Then she was gone.

Albel's only response was a low moan.

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The sun was starting to rise. Nel and Albel stood at the southern entrance to Peterny. They stood shoulder to shoulder, Nel facing the town and Albel facing the exit.

"Well, I can say…that was one night I will not soon forget." Nel kept her voice low.

"Humph. Do you so relish in others torment?"

She almost laid into him for that comment. She knew a lot about torment thanks to him.

He started to walk away. She looked up at him and called his name. He stopped, but didn't turn to face her.

"Oh, and that…item…in your left hand? Keep it. Call it a…memento."

He glanced down. He didn't realize he was holding anything until he saw the black fabric in his claw. For a second he couldn't even move. Was that…yes it was…but how did he get it?

"Heh, heh. So, I guess I'll be seeing you this fall." She turned and walked to the town.

Albel racked his brain. He would go home and do his best to remember what had happened. It wasn't every day a lady gives you something like this.

He pocketed the item. Yes, this fall. I'd rather be in this forsaken country then tormented. Fall. Till then Nel.

He walked away smiling to himself.

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Oh boy, that was fun! I know it's an open ending but I thought it was kind of romantic. Nothing says I love you like giving a guy your undies. :D

Now, if I could get my hands on that book Amanda mentioned – evil laugh – oh now that would be more fun!

Hope you all like. This was my first fic. Thanks a bunch for the reviews!